History will call Uzbekistan's name.

After years of missed opportunities and being known as the "king of second place" in Asian qualifiers, Uzbekistan finally made it through their own strength and burning desire to win the World Cup.

Uzbekistan's national team has brilliantly secured a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.

On the evening of June 5th in Abu Dhabi, in a night filled with emotion, Uzbekistan wrote its most glorious chapter in history. A courageous 0-0 draw against the UAE was more than just a result on the scoreboard – it was a powerful statement: Uzbekistan, after years of missed opportunities, had qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time.

The journey of those who persevere.

Tears flowed on the pitch. Not tears of defeat, but tears of joy, overflowing after decades of waiting. Goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov knelt and sobbed. The players, the coaching staff, even those who weren't on the field – all couldn't hold back their emotions. And they fully deserved it.

Uzbekistan doesn't have a star-studded squad. They don't have players who play for top European clubs, except for a few names like Eldor Shomurodov (formerly of Roma), the young talent Khusanov (on the books of Manchester City), and Abbosbek Fayzullaev - the outstanding midfielder of CSKA Moscow. But they have something that many resource-rich teams lack: resilience and belief.

Fifteen qualifying matches, only one defeat. The defense conceded just 11 goals. This achievement stemmed from tight organization, courageous fighting spirit, and unwavering teamwork. This is a well-deserved reward for a footballing nation that has lived in regret for far too long.

For over two decades, Uzbekistan has consistently been in the "almost" group – almost qualifying for the 2006 World Cup due to unfair play-offs against Bahrain; almost making it to Brazil in 2014 because of an inferior goal difference compared to South Korea; and almost making it to Russia in 2018 after drawing their final match against South Korea. But this time, they will not let history repeat itself.

Uzbekistan's difference today lies at its roots: a youth training system that is gradually becoming professionalized.

Uzbekistan's difference today lies at its roots: a youth training system that is gradually becoming professionalized. Under Technical Director Guy Kiala – a Belgian who previously worked in the UAE and Saudi Arabia – Uzbek football has undergone a complete reorganization.

Previously, football academies were state-run and largely grassroots-oriented. Now, the Uzbekistan Football Federation controls, selects, and organizes regional tournaments to discover outstanding talents. Young players get to compete, gain experience, and receive training with a clear focus: technique, attack, and creativity.

The results came quickly. The U17 team had previously defeated England's U17 team at the World Cup. The U20 team won the Asian Championship. The U23 team made its first appearance at the Olympics – marking the first time Uzbekistan had a representative in a team sport at the Olympic Games.

The man who led that younger generation – Timur Kapadze – is now also the head coach of the national team. He understands young players, knows how to motivate them, and most importantly: he knows how to build a cohesive team from individuals who came from humble beginnings.

Uzbekistan's success doesn't just come from technical skill. It comes from a change in mindset. Previously, the team often entered matches with an underdog mentality, playing defensively and fearing defeat more than they wanted to win. Kiala recognized this from the start and introduced a new motto: "The desire to win must be greater than the fear of failure."

Uzbekistan's success doesn't just come from expertise. It comes from a change in mindset.

Now, Uzbekistan is no longer a team that huddles together waiting for counter-attacks. They organize their play with a distinct identity, launch attacks, and above all, are not afraid of any opponent. Uzbekistan believes they have the right to dream, and that belief is what brought them to their first World Cup.

A well-deserved achievement.

With a population of nearly 40 million – the largest in Central Asia – Uzbekistan has long embraced football as an integral part of life. They may have been known for other sports like wrestling, boxing, or tennis, but none have captured their hearts as much as football.

The upcoming home match against Qatar may no longer be decisive, but it will be a true celebration. Tashkent will be adorned with flags and flowers. Millions of Uzbeks will experience a historic moment – ​​for the first time, they will see their national team as part of the biggest festival on the planet.

Uzbekistan's journey to the 2026 World Cup is a lesson in perseverance, rebuilding, and ambition. They didn't get there because of the expanded format; they got there through genuine ability.

And from now on, the football world will no longer view Uzbekistan as a team that "almost succeeded." They succeeded - in the most beautiful way possible.

Source: https://znews.vn/lich-su-goi-ten-uzbekistan-post1558658.html